The Ford Explorer Van STILL lives rent-free in my head | Editor’s Choice September 2026
Building on the legacy of the Ford Fiesta Van comes the Ford Explorer Van… a car-derived van that Tom just can’t stop thinking about
Words by: Tom Roberts
Published on 9 September 2026 | 0 min read
Let’s get one thing straight… car-derived electric vans occupy a hyper-niche corner of the van market. Yet here comes the Ford Explorer Van, joining the likes of the Citroën e-C3 Van and Dacia Duster Cargo in a segment that (all of a sudden) feels packed. As someone who spent several of his ‘Vanarama Van Reviewer’ days gleefully tearing around in its spiritual predecessor – the beloved Fiesta Van – I knew what to expect: a relatively practical car-to-van conversion with a bit of Ford flair.
And while it is practical, it would make zero sense for a typical tradesperson needing to haul plasterboard. For a technician carrying small and heavy, specialised gear who spends all day on the motorway, however, it makes total sense. It’s a true commercial vehicle wrapped up in the body of a top-tier electric cruiser that’s wearing a hi-vis vest. And I’m here for it.
The good, the bad and the blind spots
The conversion itself is right out of the playbook – remove the rear seats, create a flat load floor, and bolt down a solid metal mesh bulkhead. You get one cubic metre of load space and a solid 650 kg payload. Up front you get the cozy cabin with its massive 14.6-inch touchscreen (which hides a sneaky secret storage cubby underneath) and a rugged set of steel wheels with yellow torque indicators.
As you’d expect, converting a passenger SUV into a van does add a few headaches. These include the blacked-out rear side door glass which darkens the interior and creates quite a wide blind spot. The big infotainment screen faces straight back into the van, and if it’s a sunny day the reflections off it are pretty severe. And some of the touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons require too much precise thumbing. But none of them are PROPER deal breakers.
It lives rent-free in my mind
Because here’s the thing: the moment you hit the road, those quibbles are as non-existent as its tailpipe emissions. It handles so well, and while Ford quotes a 374-mile range, real-world driving will yield closer to a still-fantastic 300 miles. On the dual carriageway, it’s really quiet and smooth, free of the unladen ‘van hop’ you often get from light commercials. The five-star Euro NCAP safety rating is just the icing on the cake.
So, is it a sensible purchase for the average builder? Absolutely not. Is it worth a look from long-distance fleet specialists who would value Ford’s near-peerless aftersales support and freedom from range anxiety? Yeah, it does! And not for nothing… I handed the keys back months ago, but I still keep peeking out the front window wishing it was parked in my driveway. Good work, Ford!
